Twitter updates Android and iOS apps
Twitter has released Twitter for iOS 5.6 and Twitter for Android 4.0.2, minor updates to its official apps for iPhone/iPad and Android mobile users. Both apps extend support for trend filtering by location to the mobile platform, the feature is already present in the web-based app.
Other changes to the iOS build include improved playback of Vine video, and the addition of an option to invite other people to join Twitter from within the app. Android users also gain enhancements to the menu button.
The option for switching between tailored and location-based trends is accessed from the Discover tab on the iPhone, iPod touch or Android phone -- tap Trends, scroll down and the new “Change location” option will appear at the bottom (Android users will also need to tap the menu button). Tapping this then allows users to first select a country and then a city or town. At the present time, only major cities are featured.
Version 5.6 for iOS also follows the recent Vine app update in improving the playback performance of Vine videos. It also changes the way replies to retweets are handled – now both the original tweeter and the person retweeting are included by default when replying. Finally, users can now invite other people to join Twitter from directly within the app itself.
Android users gain improvements to the menu button, tapping this now adds options for switching accounts and accessing the settings screen. Both mobile app updates are rounded off with the usual raft of non-specified bug fixes and performance improvements.
The new mobile apps follow hot on the heels of Twitter for Mac 2.2, a surprise update that added Retina display support, a new camera icon to the redesigned Tweet compose box for easy sharing of photos and support for 14 new languages, including French, Chinese, Spanish and German.
Twitter for iOS 5.6 is a free download for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.Twitter for Android 4.0.2 requires Android 2.1/2.2/2.3 or 4.1, and is also compatible with Kindle Fire and B&N Nooks. Twitter for Mac 2.2 requires OS 10.6.8 or later.